Frank i



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK I. HENKEL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SECRETARY-TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 27,126, dated February 14, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK I. HENKEL, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Secretary and Table Combined; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specitication, in which- 1 Figure 1, represents a longitudinal vertical section ot' this invention. Fig. 2 is an inverted plan of ditto, and Fig. 3 shows a transverse vertical section of the same.

Similar letters of reference in the three views indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in arranging on the sides of a table, hinged iaps, which are connected to a common swivel-head, in such a manner that they allow of being turned to a vertical, or to a horizontal position, and which, when turned to a vertical position, serve to conceal the real nature of the table, and when in a horizontal position, they may be used for placing such articles thereon, which would be in the way, or too much exposed when placed on the top; and my invention consists also in combining with a table top, a looking glass and other appurtenances of a dressing table, and also a complete writing desk, so that the table may be used either as a common table, or in any of the above mentioned functions.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it, with reference to the drawing.

The frame A, of the table, is supported by legs B, which may be made more or less ornamental, to suit purchasers. A flap C is hinged to each side of the frame, so that when these flaps are turned up to a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 1, they conceal the sides of the frame. The several flaps connect with a common swivel-head D, which is secured to the under side of the frame by means of a pivot a. Itis `lfurnished with a series of arms Z), the number of which corresponds to the number of the sides of theframe, and each arm forms the socket for a swivel joint from which the connection rods d, extend to similar joints e which are rigidly secured to the under sides of the iaps The joints c and e are so" arranged that they allow of turning the placed on them, which otherwise would be in the way or which it may be desirable to conceal, to a certain extent, from the view of persons sitting on the other sides of the table. lVhen these flaps are turned down, the interior of the table is exposed, and the top E, which is hinged to one of the sides of the frame, can now be raised to a vertical position. The key which fastens said top, is found in a drawer F, on the side of the table. The space next before the top, when the same is raised, is provided with a hidden compartment to receive combs, soap, and other articles required for dressing, and this compartment can be opened by pressing on a button on the right hand side of the trame, and a looking glass G is inserted into the under side of the table top E, in such a manner that it can be brought to any desired inclination, to suit circumstances. The remaining space of the table is occupied by a writing desk H, which folds up as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and the two parts of which form separate compartments to contain, paper, pens, and other requisites for writing, and one of said compartments is also furnished with a secret drawer which can be opened by pressing down the second screw on the right hand hinge, which unites the two parts of the writing desk. The interior arrangement of the writing desk, however, may be varied at pleasure, and more or less work and labor may be spent on various parts of the table, according to the price which it is to bring.

If the top E, is fastened down, and the flaps C are turned up, there is nothing about the table to betray its contents, and nobody but those acquainted with its interior arrangement, will think ot the true nature of my table. And its ornamental appearance makes it fit to be put in any parlor, so that in houses where the room is limited, the same table serves for three distinct purposes, namely, for a common table, for a dressing table, and for a secretary or writing desk.

W'hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The arrangement of the hinged flaps C, in combination With the frein of a in the manner, and for the purpose specii table, 1and With the sviveiil head D, or igs fied.

equiva ent' constructe an operating su v stantially s, and for the purpose de srbed. W Y* FRANK I' HENKEL 5 2. The combination of the-hinged table Witnesses;

top E, looking glass G, and writing desk H, J. F.v BUCKLEY,

with the frame A, and flaps C, substantially .M. M. LIVINGSTON. 

